May 2, 2006

May 2, 2006

ACADEMIC COUNCIL

Present: Athinarayanan, Bertrand, Buis, Cron, Curtis, Ferguson, Hathaway, Hinkle, Janzow, Jones, McDougall, McGowan, Prater, Redmond, Shaw, Shepard, Starrett, Stephens, and Syler

Guests: Steve Overmann and Michael Parker

A. Minutes of February 7, 2006 and March 7, 2006

Curtis asked for re-wording in the description concerning the MA in Criminal Justice; with that change, upon a motion by McGowan, seconded by McDougall, the minutes were unanimously approved.

B. Action Items
1. Off-Site Delivery Bachelor of Science in Social Work at KAHEC
Prater moved for approval of off-site delivery of the BS in Social Work at KAHEC; Curtis seconded. Parker presented an over-view of the program. Council had questions concerning library costs and accessibility to resources; pre-requisites being met; rotation of classes, faculty over-loads; need of clarification so it does not appear that a bachelor's degree can be obtained in three years; and expansion of locations to offer program at other off-campus sites. The suggestions were agreed to. The motion was amended to expand the offering to include other regional off-campus sites and Poplar Bluff in addition to KAHEC. Curtis seconded. A revised form will be sent to the Office of the Provost for CBHE approval. The amended motion passed unanimously.

2. Revision: Environmental Science Program
McGowan moved for approval of revisions to the Environmental Science Program to delete the Information Systems option and add the Policy and Communication option; McDougall seconded. The document that was mailed to Council had an error (in regard to one course requirement); an update will be sent to the Office of the Provost. Overmann stated that the reason to drop the IS option was that in four years of offering, no students had declared this as an option. Also, the faculty advisor, and advocate of the option, is no longer with the University. The Policy and Communication option is for students who would like to pursue careers in the environmental field but not as scientists. The addition of this option would help those in a non-scientist career path and free up some elective hours. Additionally, the option has faculty with interest and expertise to support the program and it will offer more opportunities for future graduates. Stephens noted that deleting an option does not take CBHE approval, but a new option would need to go to the Board of Regents. The motion passed unanimously.

3. Revision: MSN Admission Criteria
Prater moved acceptance of the revisions to the MSN admission criteria; Janzow seconded. The changes were reviewed with the Council. McDougall questioned whether or not there are applicants from Illinois since the admission requirement states "Missouri" license. Prater stated that was a state mandated requirement. Shepard stated that there were no means for dismissal or suspension listed with the proposal. Prater stated there are rigorous rules in the Nursing handbook which also applies to these students. The motion passed unanimously.

C. Discussion Items
1. Transfer Credit Issues
Stephens read the following addendum from the CBHE credit transfer guidelines for student transfer and articulation among Missouri colleges and universities (adopted June 8, 2000) and distributed at the November 2005 Academic Council meeting:

Institutional policies that distinguish between upper- and lower-division courses vary among baccalaureate degree-granting institutions. The variation results in similar courses being identified as upper or lower division at different institutions. This can create redundancy in the curriculum of a transfer student (i.e., repeating an upper division course at the receiving institution when the student had completed a course with the same content and learning objectives but labeled as lower division by the sending institution). Receiving institutions should avoid duplication of learning and effort by transfer students by requiring the completion of a related but non-duplicative upper-division course that would enrich the curriculum of the student. The analysis of possible duplication of learning and effort in identification of upper- and lower-division courses is best addressed in the context of articulation agreements between sending and receiving institutions.

Stephens reiterated and cautioned that according to this policy departments cannot require the same course at a different level. She suggested that there is a need to re-consider how many hours are required at Southeast to earn a Southeast degree. She noted that the same scrutiny needed to be used when examining a course from a four-year university as with a community college. McDougall mentioned that he had correspondence about the 50% rule in regard to AACSB standards from the Executive Vice President and CAO at AASCB stating: Normally, the majority of learning (credit hours, contact hours, or other metric) in traditional business subjects counted toward degree fulfillment is earned through the institution awarding the degree." Following a discussion of concerns about determining the appropriate number of and levels of transfer courses, Stephens appointed a committee to review and make a recommendation to the Council next fall. Serving on the committee are: Janzow, McDougall, Cron, Hinkle, and Starrett. The charge of the committee is to review the requirements for a Southeast bachelor's degree within the parameters of state compliance in regard to transfer credit and the appropriate number of hours required for the "stamp" of Southeast.

Stephens also read the following clarifying comment from the same above referenced document:

Students may transfer more than 64 credit hours for lower division courses from either Missouri associate degree-granting or baccalaureate degree-granting institutions. Any additional lower division course credits above 64 credit hours will be accepted in transfer if the credits are applicable to the baccalaureate degree or are prerequisites for an upper division course in the major.

Prater suggested that the requirement for UI 100 as it is applied in the Southeast nursing program transfer block be reviewed in the fall.